Sylvia Townsend Warner to be honoured with Dorchester statue

Sylvia Townsend Warner, a writer and poet who eventually settled in Dorset, was chosen to be immortalised with a statue, as part of the Visible Women UK campaign - formerly named Dorchester Sheroes. 

It was launched earlier this year as a community project in conjunction with local schools, clubs and societies along with support of the Dorchester Joint Heritage Committee.

It aims to champion the voices of Dorset women whose stories are not often told. 

Sylvia Townsend Warner (Image: Supplied) Sylvia Townsend Warner was chosen following a public vote, making her the town's first non-royal statue of a woman, joining the six statues of men that Dorchester already proudly displays. 

Tracy Chevalier, author and patron of the campaign, said: "When people think of Dorset writers, they tend to think of men like Thomas Hardy and the poet William Barnes.

"I’m so delighted that there is going to be a statue of Townsend Warner, who spent most of her life in Dorset.

"I think it’s great that she is finally going to be acknowledged alongside the men."

Sylvia Townsend Warner was a prolific author of novels, short stories and poetry, who also wrote a biography of T. H. White, translated Proust and was an authority on Tudor church music. 

Sylvia Townsend Warner with cats (Image: Supplied)

She spent most of her adult life in Frome Vauchurch with poet Valentine Ackland, her long-term partner. At a time when same-sex relationships were heavily stigmatised, their partnership defied societal expectations, positioning both Townsend Warner and Ackland as pioneers for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.

Anya Pearson, trustee of Visible Women UK, added:  "Sylvia lived her life as her true self, something many still find impossible due to prejudice and ignorance.

"She is a modern-day role model, allowing young people to see themselves in what she achieved all those years ago. I can’t wait to shake things up a little with a beautiful statue dedicated to such a talented and remarkable woman." 

Sylvia Townsend Warner design for statue (Image: Supplied) The statue - to be positioned in South Street in the town centre - will be created by Denise Dutton and will depict Sylvia on a park bench. There will also be a cat as the author was an avid cat lover and often photographed with her cherished feline companions.

The cat will be modelled of non other than Dorchester's other local hero - Susie the cat.